U.S. patent application number 11/952327 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for image log recording system, control method therefor, and storage medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Shigemi Saito.
Application Number | 20080140675 11/952327 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39499507 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080140675 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Saito; Shigemi |
June 12, 2008 |
IMAGE LOG RECORDING SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND STORAGE
MEDIUM
Abstract
An image log recording system which is capable of optimizing
image log transfer. A plurality of log recording agents generate
image logs. An image processing server performs image processing on
the image logs transferred from the log recording agents. The image
logs subjected to image processing by the image processing server
are cumulatively stored in a database. Each of the image recording
agents receives from a management server transfer settings for
transferring an image log to the image processing server, and
transfers an image log to the image processing server according to
the transfer settings. The management server monitors load on the
image log recording system and changes the transfer settings based
on the monitored system load.
Inventors: |
Saito; Shigemi;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSSI, KIMMS & McDOWELL LLP.
P.O. BOX 826
ASHBURN
VA
20146-0826
US
|
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
39499507 |
Appl. No.: |
11/952327 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ; 707/999.01;
707/E17.019; 707/E17.032; 714/E11.207 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03G 21/04 20130101;
Y10S 707/915 20130101; G06F 21/552 20130101; G06F 2201/88 20130101;
G06F 11/3409 20130101; G06F 11/3433 20130101; G06F 11/3476
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/10 ;
707/E17.019; 707/E17.032 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 8, 2006 |
JP |
2006-332406 |
Claims
1. An image log recording system comprising: an image recording
unit configured to generate an image log; an image processing
server configured to perform image processing on image logs
transferred from said image recording unit; a database configured
to cumulatively store the image logs subjected to image processing
by said image processing server; and a transfer management server,
wherein said image recording unit comprises a transfer
settings-receiving unit configured to receive from said transfer
management server, transfer settings for transferring an image log
to said image processing server, and an image log transfer unit
configured to transfer the image log to said image processing
server according to the transfer settings, and wherein said
transfer management server comprises a transfer settings-notifying
unit configured to notify said image recording unit of the transfer
settings, a load monitoring unit configured to monitor load on the
image log recording system, and a transfer settings-changing unit
configured to change the transfer settings based on the system load
monitored by said load monitoring unit.
2. An image log recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said load monitoring unit monitors at least one of a reception
capability, a storage capability, an image processing capability, a
database registration capability, a reception amount, a storage
amount, and an image processing amount, and a database registration
amount of said image processing server.
3. An image log recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said image recording unit comprises a per-unit time recording
amount-recording unit configured to record a per-unit time
recording amount, a per-unit time recording amount-notifying unit
configured to notify said transfer management server of the
recorded per-unit time recording amount, and a recordable
amount-notifying unit configured to notify said transfer management
server of a currently recordable amount, and wherein said transfer
management server comprises an image recording unit recording
amount-recording unit configured to receive and record the per-unit
time recording amount and the recordable amount transmitted from
said image recording unit, and said transfer settings-changing unit
determines the transfer settings for transfer from said image
recording unit, based on the per-unit time recording amount and the
recordable amount of said image recording unit.
4. An image log recording system as claimed in claim 3, wherein
said transfer settings-changing unit determines the transfer
settings further based on at least one of a priority, a transfer
capability, and a recording form of said image recording unit,
which are set or measured in advance.
5. An image log recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said transfer management server comprises a transfer permission
setting-notifying unit configured to notify said image processing
server of the transfer settings in place of said transfer
settings-notifying unit, and wherein said image processing server
comprises a transfer permission setting-receiving unit configured
to receive a transfer permission setting, and an image log
reception-permitting unit configured to determine, based on the
received transfer permission setting, whether or not image log
transfer from said image recording unit is to be enabled, and
permit image log reception only when it is determined that the
image log transfer is to be enabled.
6. An image log recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said transfer management server comprises a high load notification
unit configured to be operable when a high load is detected by said
load monitoring unit, to notify the high load to an
administrator.
7. An image log recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said image recording unit is implemented by any of a digital
multi-function machine, a printer, a print server, and a computer
which generates print jobs.
8. An image log recording system as claimed in claim 1, wherein two
or more of said image processing server, said database, and said
transfer management server are formed by an identical server.
9. An image log recording system as claimed in claim 3, wherein
said recordable amount-notifying unit notifies said transfer
management server of a recordable amount with respect to a
predetermined capacity.
10. An image log recording system as claimed in claim 3, comprising
a recording amount change-recording unit configured to record a
change in a recording amount measured over a predetermined time
period, and wherein said per-unit time recording amount-notifying
unit performs per-unit time recording amount notification based on
the change in the recording amount.
11. An image log recording system as claimed in claim 10,
comprising a recording amount change input unit configured to
accept input of an estimated recording amount change from a
user.
12. A control method for an image log recording system including an
image recording unit configured to generate an image log, an image
processing server configured to perform image processing on image
logs transferred from the image recording unit, a database
configured to cumulatively store the image logs subjected to image
processing by the image processing server, and a transfer
management server, comprising: a transfer settings-receiving step
of receiving from the transfer management server, transfer settings
for transferring an image log to the image processing server; an
image log transfer step of transferring an image log to the image
processing server according to the transfer settings; said transfer
settings-receiving step and said image log transfer step being
executed by the image log recording unit, a transfer
settings-notifying step of notifying the image recording unit of
the transfer settings; a load monitoring step of monitoring load on
the image log recording system; and a transfer settings-changing
step of changing the transfer settings based on the system load
monitored in said load monitoring step, said transfer
settings-notifying step, said load monitoring step, and said
transfer settings-changing step being executed by the transfer
management server.
13. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program
for causing computers to perform a control method for an image log
recording system including an image recording unit configured to
generate an image log, an image processing server configured to
perform image processing on image logs transferred from the image
recording unit, a database configured to cumulatively store the
image logs subjected to image processing by the image processing
server, and a transfer management server, wherein the control
program comprises: a transfer settings-receiving module for causing
the image log recording unit to receive from the transfer
management server, transfer settings for transferring an image log
to the image processing server; an image log transfer module for
causing the image log recording unit to transfer the image log to
the image processing server according to the transfer settings; a
transfer settings notification module for causing the transfer
management server to notify the image recording unit of the
transfer settings; a load monitoring module for causing the
transfer management server to monitor load on the image log
recording system; and a transfer settings-changing module for
causing the transfer management server to change the transfer
settings based on the system load monitored by said load monitoring
module.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an image log recording
system for recording job attributes including a user who executes a
job by a digital multi-function machine or a printer and a date and
time of the job execution in association with an image, a control
method therefor, and a storage medium storing a control program for
executing the control method, and more particularly to an image log
recording system characterized by an image log collecting
technique, a control method therefor, and a storage medium storing
a control program for executing the control method.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Recently, with widespread use of printers and digital
multi-function machines, it has become easier to perform printing,
copying, and transmission of originals. This has improved the
userfriendliness of the apparatuses, but at the same time, a new
problem has occurred that printing, copying, or transmission of
confidential documents can cause information leakage.
[0005] To prevent this information leakage, there has been proposed
an image log recording system in which all pieces of image data are
stored in a storage device when printing, copying, facsimile
transmission, or e-mail transmission is performed (see e.g.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-172720). With the
proposed system, it is possible to check the stored image log when
information leakage occurs, to thereby track which printer or
digital multi-function machine output the data, and when, where and
how the data was output.
[0006] A description will be given of an example of the
configuration of the above-mentioned image log recording
system.
[0007] The image log recording system is comprised of digital
multi-function machines and print servers for primarily recording
image logs, and a database for collecting and storing image logs,
and an image processing server disposed between the digital
multi-function machines and the print servers, and the database, as
required.
[0008] In each digital multi-function machine or print server, when
a job, such as printing, copying, facsimile transmission, or e-mail
transmission, is executed, an image as the processed contents of
the job is recorded together with job attributes including a job
executor, execution date and time, and an execution device.
[0009] The recorded image and the job attributes (hereinafter
referred to as "the image log") are transferred to the image
processing server at a time scheduled by an administrator in a
manner asynchronous to the execution of the job, and are deleted
from the digital multi-function machine or the print server upon
completion of the transfer. When receiving the image log, the image
processing server performs OCR processing and conversion of the
image into a format suitable for storage, as required, and then
transfers the image log to the database. These processes are
executed asynchronously. The database cumulatively stores image
logs.
[0010] Further, the digital multi-functions machine and the print
servers are each capable of monitoring an HDD thereof and
transferring an image log to the image processing server,
regardless of a schedule, when the capacity of an area available
for image log recording becomes smaller than a predetermined
value.
[0011] However, the number of jobs to be executed in the digital
multi-function machines and the print servers is not constant, and
hence when numerous jobs are executed within a short time, numerous
image logs are cumulatively stored in the image processing server,
which can make it impossible for the image processing server to
receive more image logs.
[0012] In addition, since the conventional image processing server
is configured to receive all image logs transferred by the digital
multi-function machines and the print servers, the recording area
of the image processing server becomes short, which makes it
impossible to receive the image processing server. As a result,
numerous image logs can be left stored in some digital
multi-function machines and print servers.
[0013] For this reason, if a digital multi-function machine or a
print server continues job execution, no more image logs can be
recorded, and therefore the digital multi-function machine or the
print server has no choice but to permit a job to be executed
without log recording or to inhibit execution of the job.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention provides an image log recording system
which is capable of optimizing image log transfer, a control method
therefor, and a storage medium storing a control program for
executing the control method.
[0015] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an image log recording system comprising an image
recording unit configured to generate an image log, an image
processing server configured to perform image processing on image
logs transferred from the image recording unit, a database
configured to cumulatively store the image logs subjected to image
processing by the image processing server, and a transfer
management server, wherein the image recording unit comprises a
transfer settings-receiving unit configured to receive from the
transfer management server, transfer settings for transferring an
image log to the image processing server, and an image log transfer
unit configured to transfer the image log to the image processing
server according to the transfer settings, and the transfer
management server comprises a transfer settings-notifying unit
configured to notify the image recording unit of the transfer
settings, a load monitoring unit configured to monitor load on the
image log recording system, and a transfer settings-changing unit
configured to change the transfer settings based on the system load
monitored by the load monitoring unit.
[0016] According to the first aspect of the present invention, it
is possible to optimize image log transfer to thereby avoid a
problem that untransferred or unprocessed image logs are
cumulatively stored in some of the digital machines and the print
drivers or in the image processing server, causing omission of
recording of image logs or inhibition of job execution.
[0017] The load monitoring unit can monitor at least one of a
reception capability, a storage capability, an image processing
capability, a database registration capability, a reception amount,
a storage amount, and an image processing amount, and a database
registration amount of the image processing server.
[0018] The image recording unit comprises a per-unit time recording
amount-recording unit configured to record a per-unit time
recording amount, a per-unit time recording amount-notifying unit
configured to notify the transfer management server of the recorded
per-unit time recording amount, and a recordable amount-notifying
unit configured to notify the transfer management server of a
currently recordable amount, and the transfer management server
comprises an image recording unit recording amount-recording unit
configured to receive and record the per-unit time recording amount
and the recordable amount transmitted from the image recording
unit, and the transfer settings-changing unit determines the
transfer settings for transfer from the image recording unit, based
on the per-unit time recording amount and the recordable amount of
the image recording unit.
[0019] The transfer settings-changing unit determines the transfer
settings further based on at least one of a priority, a transfer
capability, and a recording form of the image recording unit, which
are set or measured in advance.
[0020] The transfer management server comprises a transfer
permission setting-notifying unit configured to notify the image
processing server of the transfer settings in place of the transfer
settings-notifying unit, and the image processing server comprises
a transfer permission setting-receiving unit configured to receive
a transfer permission setting, and an image log
reception-permitting unit configured to determine, based on the
received transfer permission setting, whether or not image log
transfer from the image recording unit is to be enabled, and permit
image log reception only when it is determined that the image log
transfer is to be enabled.
[0021] The transfer management server comprises a high load
notification unit configured to be operable when a high load is
detected by the load monitoring unit, to notify the high load to an
administrator.
[0022] The image recording unit can be implemented by any of a
digital multi-function machine, a printer, a print server, and a
computer which generates print jobs.
[0023] Two or more of the image processing server, the database,
and the transfer management server can be formed by an identical
server.
[0024] The recordable amount-notifying unit notifies the transfer
management server of a recordable amount with respect to a
predetermined capacity.
[0025] The image log recording system comprises a recording amount
change-recording unit configured to record a change in a recording
amount measured over a predetermined time period, and the per-unit
time recording amount-notifying unit performs per-unit time
recording amount notification based on the change in the recording
amount.
[0026] The image log recording system comprises a recording amount
change input unit configured to accept input of an estimated
recording amount change from a user.
[0027] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a control method for an image log recording system
including an image recording unit configured to generate an image
log, an image processing server configured to perform image
processing on image logs transferred from the image recording unit,
a database configured to cumulatively store the image logs
subjected to image processing by the image processing server, and a
transfer management server, comprising a transfer
settings-receiving step of receiving from the transfer management
server, transfer settings for transferring an image log to the
image processing server, an image log transfer step of transferring
an image log to the image processing server according to the
transfer settings, the transfer settings-receiving step and the
image log transfer step being executed by the image log recording
unit, a transfer settings-notifying step of notifying the image
recording unit of the transfer settings, a load monitoring step of
monitoring load on the image log recording system, and a transfer
settings-changing step of changing the transfer settings based on
the system load monitored in the load monitoring step, the transfer
settings-notifying step, the load monitoring step, and the transfer
settings-changing step being executed by the transfer management
server.
[0028] In a third aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a computer-readable storage medium storing a control
program for causing computers to perform a control method for an
image log recording system including an image recording unit
configured to generate an image log, an image processing server
configured to perform image processing on image logs transferred
from the image recording unit, a database configured to
cumulatively store the image logs subjected to image processing by
the image processing server, and a transfer management server,
wherein the control program comprises a transfer settings-receiving
module for causing the image log recording unit to receive from the
transfer management server, transfer settings for transferring an
image log to the image processing server, an image log transfer
module for causing the image log recording unit to transfer the
image log to the image processing server according to the transfer
settings, a transfer settings notification module for causing the
transfer management server to notify the image recording unit of
the transfer settings, a load monitoring module for causing the
transfer management server to monitor load on the image log
recording system, and a transfer settings-changing module for
causing the transfer management server to change the transfer
settings based on the system load monitored by the load monitoring
module.
[0029] The features and advantages of the invention will become
more apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image log recording system
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing information on log recording
agents managed in a management server appearing in FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing information on an image
processing server and a database managed in the management server
appearing in FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of processing units arranged in
the image processing server appearing in FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an image log collecting process
executed by the image processing server.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an image log recording process
executed by a log recording agent operating on the digital
multi-function machine or the print server appearing in FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an information notifying process
executed by the log recording agent for notifying information to
the management server.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an image log transfer process
executed by the log recording agent for transferring image logs to
the management server.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an image log receiving process
executed by the image processing server for receiving image logs
from a log recording agent.
[0039] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an image processing process
executed by the image processing server.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a database registration process
executed by the image processing server.
[0041] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an information notifying process
executed by the image processing server for notifying information
to the management server.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to the drawings showing a preferred embodiment
thereof.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image log recording system
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the image log recording system is
constructed by interconnecting a digital multi-function machine
101, a print server 102, a printer 103, an image processing server
104, a database 105, a management server 106, a management client
107, and a client PC 108, on a network 109.
[0045] The digital multi-function machine 101 is equipped with a
scan function, a print function, a copy function, an e-mail
function, a facsimile function, and/or like other functions. The
digital multi-function machine 101 generates data (which will be
hereinafter referred to as log image data) of an electronic image
used in a job executed by one of the above-mentioned functions, and
records the log image data together with job history information
(hereinafter referred to as "a job log") including information on a
job executor, execution date and time, and the digital
multi-function machine operated for the job. It should be noted
that, as described hereinafter, text data obtained by performing
character recognition processing, such as OCR processing, on image
data used in a job, and text data extracted from PDL data in a
print job (hereinafter both referred to as "log text data) may be
recorded together with a job log. Data including log image data and
a job log, or data including log text data and a job log is
referred to as an image log. The recorded image log is transferred
to the image processing server 104 at the scheduled time.
[0046] The print server 102 records character strings extracted
from electronic image data for a print job issued from the client
PC 108 to the printer 103 connected to the print server 102, or
ones extracted from PDL data in a print job. At this time, the
character strings are associated with a job log including
information on a job executor, execution date and time, and the
printer operated for the job, and are recorded as an image log. The
print server 102 transfers the image log to the image processing
server 104 at a scheduled time.
[0047] The function of each of the digital multi-function machine
101 and the print server 102, for transferring image logs to the
image processing server 104, is hereinafter referred to as a log
recording agent or simply as an agent.
[0048] The image processing sever 104 performs OCR processing on an
image log containing no character strings, such as an image log
transferred particularly from the digital multi-function machine,
to thereby extract text information (text data).
[0049] Thereafter, the text data is converted into a format
suitable for storage in the database 105 and is registered in the
same. Further, the received attributes are registered in
association with the image (data). The OCR processing and the
conversion of the text data into a format suitable for storage in
the database are hereinafter referred to as image processing.
[0050] Image data and associated text data and attributes sent from
the image processing server 104 are cumulatively stored in the
database 105.
[0051] The management server 106 records and manages information on
the configuration of forms of image logs to be recorded in the
digital multi-function machine 101 and the print server 102,
transfer schedules for log transfer to the image processing server
104, and an image converting method employed by the image
processing server 104.
[0052] When the configuration is changed, the management server 106
notifies the digital multi-function machine 101, the print server
102, and the image processing server 104 of the changed i.e. new
configuration. This notification may be performed when the
management server 106 receives an inquiry as to configuration from
the digital multi-function machine 101, the print server 102, or
the image processing server 104.
[0053] The management client 107 is a terminal apparatus used by an
administrator of the present image log recording system so as to
configure settings of the management server 106, or browse or
retrieve image logs stored in the database 105. The management
client 107 is implemented by a general PC.
[0054] The client PC 108 issues print jobs to the printer 103. When
the client PC 108 issues a print job to the printer 103, a printer
driver, not shown, installed in the client PC 108 transmits
electronic image data of the print job and character strings
extracted from PDL data in the print job to the print server 102 as
well. Further, a job log including attribute information on the
print job and information identifying a user who issued the print
job is sent to the print server 102.
[0055] Although in FIG. 1, the component elements 101 to 108 are
included in the system, one for each kind, the system may include a
plurality of component elements per kind. In particular, a
plurality of digital multi-function machines 101, print servers
102, and printers 103 are often included in the system. The image
processing server 104 may have a redundant configuration mainly for
load dispersion, and the database 105 and the management server 106
may have a redundant configuration so as to enhance
reliability.
[0056] Further, a component element and another component element
may be provided within the same server. For example, the management
server 106 and the image processing server 104 may be integrally
provided in one identical server.
[0057] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing information on log recording
agents managed in the management server appearing in FIG. 1.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, the information includes IDs 201
uniquely assigned to respective log recording agents, IP addresses
202 of the respective log recording agents, and schedules according
to which the respective associated log recording agents are to
transfer recorded image logs to the image processing server
104.
[0059] Further, the information includes a recording form 204 of a
non-job log portion of each image log to be recorded when an
associated job is executed by a log recording agent. Normally, a
form of an image (format of log image data) is recorded. It should
be noted that the administrator can change the resolution of the
log image data. Further, if it is desired to suppress an increase
in the storage capacity or load on a communication line, the log
may be recorded in a text form (as log text data) instead of being
stored as image data. In a case where the log recording agent is
configured such that the text form is employed for recording the
non-job log portion of an image log, the print server extracts
character strings from a PDL command, and the digital
multi-function machine performs OCR processing on image data
handled in an executed job to thereby extract character strings
therefrom.
[0060] Furthermore, the information includes a total capacity 205
of each log recording agent for recording image logs. A portion of
a recording area in an HDD, a SRAM, a memory, or the like of each
log recording agent is allocated to the capacity of image log
recording. The currently used capacity 206 of the image log
recording area of each log recording agent is also included in the
information.
[0061] Moreover, the information includes a capacity 207 of the
image log recording area of each log recording agent, which is
consumed or used per day (hereinafter referred to as "per-day
capacity"). The per-day capacity 207 is represented by an average
value of per-day capacity values obtained within a recent
predetermined period e.g. of ten days. The information also
includes priorities 208. Each priority 208 indicates the importance
of a job executed by the digital multi-function machine 101 or the
print server 102. In addition, the information includes a page
count 209 of each image log recorded in an associated log recording
agent.
[0062] The above-described information items are collected and set
as follows.
[0063] First, a log recording agent is registered in the management
server 106. The method of registration includes a method in which
the log recording agent notifies itself to the management server
106 and a method in which the administrator registers the log
recording agent in the management server 106 via the management
client 107.
[0064] When the log recording agent is to notify itself to the
management server 106, the log recording agent notifies the
management server 106 of its own IP address 202 and the total
capacity 205 of its own image log recording area. After checking
that the log recording agent has not been registered yet, the
management server 106 issues a unique ID 201 and records the same
in association with the IP address 202 and the total capacity
205.
[0065] When the administrator is to register a log recording agent
in the management server 106, the administrator sets an IP address
202. After checking that the log recording agent has not been
registered yet, the administrator confirms that the log recording
agent is present on the IP address, and acquires the total capacity
205 of the image log recording area of the log recording agent.
Then, the administrator issues a unique ID 201 and records the same
in association with the IP address 202 and the total capacity
205.
[0066] Thereafter, the administrator sets a transfer schedule 203,
a recording form 204, and a priority 208 for each log recording
agent, using the management client 107. Then, these values are
recorded on the management server 106 in association with the
associated ID 201, and are sent to the log recording agent
associated with the ID 201 at the same time. The administrator can
reconfigure these values.
[0067] The management server 106 inquires of the log recording
agent as to a used capacity of the log recording area and an image
log count, and records received values as the used capacity 206 and
the associated log count 209 of the log recording agent.
[0068] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing information on the image
processing server and the database managed in the management server
appearing in FIG. 1.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 3, the information includes a total log
count 301 indicative of the total number of image logs recorded in
each log recording agent managed by the management server 106. A
value recorded as each total log count 301 indicates the number of
pages. Further, the information includes an image log count 302
indicative of the number of image logs awaiting image processing in
the image processing server 104 managed by the management server
106. A value recorded as each image log count 302 also indicates
the number of pages.
[0070] The information also includes an image log count 303
indicative of the number of image logs already subjected to image
processing by the image processing server 104 and awaiting
registration in the database 105. A value recorded as the image log
count 302 indicates the number of pages. Further, the information
includes an image file size 304 indicative of a file size per one
page of image logs awaiting image processing by the image
processing server 104 managed by the management server 106. A value
recorded as the file size 304 is in KB.
[0071] Further, the information includes a file size 305 indicative
of a file size per one page of image logs already subjected to
image processing by the image processing server 104 and awaiting
registration in the database 105. A value recorded as each file
size 305 is in KB.
[0072] Further, the information includes reception capability 306
indicative of the number of image log pages that can be received
per hour. The reception capability is represented by a value
obtained by dividing the number of pages received over a recent
predetermined period e.g. of ten days by hours required for
receiving the image logs.
[0073] Furthermore, the information includes an image processing
capability 307 indicative of the number of image log pages that can
be processed per hour. The image processing capability is
represented by a value obtained by dividing the number of pages
processed over a recent predetermined period e.g. of ten days by
hours required for processing the image logs.
[0074] The information also includes a DB registration capability
308 indicative of the number of image log pages that can be
registered per hour. The DB registration capability is represented
by a value obtained by dividing the number of pages registered over
a recent predetermined period e.g. of ten days by hours required
for registering the image logs.
[0075] The information items 301 to 308 are recorded on a recording
form basis, i.e. in a manner classified according to the recording
form of image logs.
[0076] The information in FIG. 3 further includes a used capacity
309 of a recording area in the image processing server 104 managed
by the management server 106, which can record image logs awaiting
image processing, intermediate data currently undergoing image
processing, and image logs awaiting registration in the database,
and a total capacity 310 of the recording area.
[0077] Furthermore, the information includes a used capacity 311 of
a recording area in the database 105 managed by the management
server 105, which can record registered image logs, and a total
capacity 312 of the recording area.
[0078] The values of the respective information items 301 to 312
are obtained in an image log collecting process described
hereinafter with reference to FIG. 5.
[0079] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of processing units arranged in
the image processing server appearing in FIG. 1.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 4, the image processing server 104 is
comprised of component elements designated by reference numerals
401 to 406.
[0081] The image log receiving unit 401 receives an image log from
each agent operating e.g. on the digital multi-function machine 101
or the print server 102. The log form determining unit 402 checks
the form of the received image log and determines a flow of
processing according to the form of the log.
[0082] When the log form determining unit 402 determines that OCR
processing is to be performed, the image converting unit 403
converts the image log into a form on which OCR processing can be
performed. The OCR processing unit 404 performs OCR processing on
the image log, and extracted text data is associated with the image
log.
[0083] The form converting unit 405 converts the image log into a
form suitable for storage in the database. This processing may
include converting the image log such that the resolution thereof
is changed into a value set by the system administrator. A data
registering unit 406 registers the processed image log and the text
data in the database 105.
[0084] In the present embodiment, the management server 106
controls a process for collecting image logs from the log recording
agents and storing these in the image processing server 104. The
basic flow of the process will be described with reference to FIG.
5.
[0085] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the image log collecting process
executed by the image processing server appearing in FIG. 1.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 5, first, in a step S501, the management
server 106 inquires of the database 105 as to the total capacity
and currently used capacity of its image log recording area and
acquires information on these. In a step S502, the management
server 106 inquires of the image processing server 104 as to the
total capacity and currently used capacity of its image log
recording area and acquires information on these.
[0087] In a step S503, the management server 106 inquires of the
digital multi-function machine 101 and the print server 102 as log
recording agents as to the total capacity and currently used
capacity of the image log recording area of each of the log
recording agents and acquires information on these.
[0088] In a step S504, the management server 106 checks the load
status of the image log recording system. In this step, a future
change in the image log recording area of each of the database 105,
the image processing server 104, and the log recording agents is
calculated. This calculation is performed as follows:
[0089] A value of the log count 301 of image logs recorded in the
log recording agents at the time point of the calculation is
represented by L0, and a value which the log count 301 is estimated
to take at a time point of n hours thereafter is by Ln. Further, a
value of the image log count 302 of image logs awaiting image
processing recorded in the image processing server 104 at the time
point of the calculation is represented by M0. A value which the
image log count 302 is estimated to take at the time point of n
hours thereafter is represented by Mn.
[0090] A value of the image log count 303 of image logs subjected
to the image processing and awaiting database registration in the
image processing server 104 at a time point of the calculation is
represented by N0. A value which the image log count 303 is
estimated to take at the time point of n hours thereafter is
represented by Nn.
[0091] The average size of the image logs awaiting image processing
at the time point of the calculation is represented by S, and the
average size of the image logs awaiting registration in the
database at the time point of the calculation is by T. The number
of image log pages that can be received by the image processing
server 104 per hour is represented by P, and the number of image
log pages that can be processed by the image processing server 104
per hour is by Q.
[0092] Further, the number of image log pages that can be
registered in the database 105 per hour by the image processing
server 104 is represented by R. A value of the used capacity 309 of
the image log recording area of the image processing server 104
used thereby at the time point of the calculation is represented by
A0, and a value which the used capacity 309 is estimated to take at
the time point of n hours after the calculation is by An.
[0093] The total capacity 310 of the image log recording area of
the image processing server 104 is represented by B. A value of the
used capacity 311 of the image log recording area used by the
database 105 at the time point of the calculation is by C0. A value
which the used capacity 311 is estimated to take at the time point
of n hours thereafter is represented by Cn. The total capacity 312
of the image log recording area of the database 105 is represented
by D.
[0094] Values of the log counts and the used capacities of log
recording areas taken at the time point of n hours later are
calculated using the following equations:
Ln+1=Ln-P
Mn+1=Mn+Min (Ln, P)-Min (Mn, Q)
Nn+1=Nn+Min (Mn, Q)-Min (Nn, R)
An=MnS+NnT
Cn+1=Cn+Min (Nn, R)
[0095] In a step S505, it is determined whether or not the
recording area of the database 105 will become insufficient within
a predetermined time period of n1 hours. This determination is made
by determining whether Cn>D (n.ltoreq.n1) holds. If it is
determined that the area will become insufficient, the process
proceeds to a step S506, whereas if not, the process proceeds to a
step S509.
[0096] In the step S506, the management server 106 notifies a
warning to the administrator. The warning is sent e.g. by e-mail.
In a step S507, a determination is made again as to the future
capacity of the database 105. In this step, it is determined
whether or not the recording area of the database 105 will become
insufficient within a predetermined time period of n2 hours, by
determining whether Cn>D (n.ltoreq.n2) holds. If it is
determined that the area will become insufficient, the process
proceeds to a step S508, whereas if not, the process proceeds to
the step S509.
[0097] When the capacity of the database 105 is very insufficient,
registration of image logs in the database 105 is stopped in the
step S508, and then the per-hour page count R indicative of the
number of image log pages that can be registered in the database
105 per hour by the image processing server 104 is replaced by 0.
Then, the calculation in the step S505 is carried out again.
[0098] In the step S509, it is determined whether or not the
recording area of the image processing server 104 will become
insufficient within a predetermined time period of n3 hours. This
determination is made by determining whether An>B (n.ltoreq.n3)
holds. If it is determined that the area will become insufficient,
the process proceeds to a step S510, whereas if not, the process
proceeds to a step S511.
[0099] The step S510 is executed only when the recording area of
the image processing server is running short. In this case,
transfer is performed, regardless of transfer schedules configured
specifically for the respective log recording agents, such that
capacity load is balanced between the log recording agents.
[0100] More specifically, a value of n is calculated from used
capacity 206+per-day capacity 207n+f (priority 208)>total
capacity 205 for each of the log recording agents, and an agent for
which the smallest n value is calculated is instructed to perform
image log transfer. The value f (priority 208) is a weight
determined based on the priority of a log recording agent. In the
step S510, the instruction for log transfer may be given to not a
single apparatus, but a plurality of apparatuses in increasing
order of the n value. Then, the process proceeds to a step
S514.
[0101] In the step S511, it is determined whether or not the
recording areas of the log recording agents will become
insufficient within a predetermined time period of n4 days. This
determination is made for each of the log recording agents. In
actual calculation, it is determined whether or not used capacity
206+per-day capacity 207n>total capacity 205 (n.ltoreq.n4)
holds. If it is determined that the recording areas of the log
recording agents will become insufficient, the process proceeds to
a step S512, whereas if not, the process proceeds to a step
S513.
[0102] In the step S512, the management server 106 instructs a log
recording agent whose recording area is expected to be insufficient
to perform image log transfer. Then, the process proceeds to the
step S514.
[0103] In the step S513, the management server 106 checks the
current time and compares the current time with a transfer schedule
of each log recording agent. When the scheduled time of a log
recording agent has arrived, the management server 106 instructs
the log recording agent to perform image log transfer.
[0104] In the step S514, the management server 106 waits over a
predetermined time period, and then the process returns to the step
S501. The states of the database 105, the image processing server
104, and the agents change with the lapse of time. The process in
FIG. 5 is executed in predetermined timing or at predetermined time
intervals to thereby control the image log transfer optimally in
accordance with a change in the load of the system.
[0105] In the present embodiment, the log recording agent operates
on the digital multi-function machine 101 or the print server 102.
The log recording agent carries out, in parallel, a process for
recording an image log during execution of a job, a process for
transmitting information in response to an information acquisition
instruction from the management server 106, and a process for
performing image log transfer in response to a transfer instruction
from the management server 106. The basic flows of the respective
processes will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.
[0106] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the image log recording process
executed by the log recording agent operating on the digital
multi-function machine 101 or the print server 102 appearing in
FIG. 1.
[0107] Referring to FIG. 6, first, in a step S601, the log
recording agent is kept on standby until a job execution
instruction is issued. In a step 5602, the log recording agent
receives the job execution instruction and records job attributes
which are required to be set before the start of the job, including
a user who gave the job execution instruction, date and time, the
kind of the job, and the number of copies and that of sheets to be
used for the job, and further a transmission destination in a case
where the job is a transmission job. Steps S603 to S607 are
repeatedly carried out the number of times corresponding to the
page count of the job.
[0108] In the step S604, an image log recording form of the present
job is acquired. If the log is to be recorded in the form of an
image, the process proceeds to the step S605, whereas if the log is
to be recorded in the form of text, the process proceeds to the
step S606. In the step S605, log image data of the present page of
the job is recorded, and then the process proceeds to the step
S607.
[0109] In the step S606, log text data of the present page of the
job is recorded. When the job is a print job, character strings are
extracted from a PDL command. When the job is not a print job, OCR
processing is performed on the image data to thereby extract
character strings. Alternatively, first, the log image data may be
recorded, and then OCR processing may be performed asynchronously
to thereby extract character strings as log text data.
[0110] In a step S608, the present job is executed. In a step S609,
a job log finally determined after the job execution, including the
results of the job execution and the like information, is recorded.
In a step S610, the capacity of recording areas used in the steps
S602, S605, S606, and S609 is added to the used capacity of the
day. In a step S611, the log recording agent updates the count of
pages of image logs recorded therein.
[0111] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the information notifying process
executed by the log recording agent operating on the digital
multi-function machine 101 or the print server 102 appearing in
FIG. 1, for notifying information to the management server.
[0112] Referring to FIG. 7, in a step S701, the log recording agent
is kept on standby until an information acquisition instruction is
issued from the management server 106. In a step S702, the log
recording agent notifies the management server 106 of the total
capacity of the recording area in the log recording agent, the used
capacity of the same, the average capacity of recording area used
per day over the recent ten days, and the count of pages of image
logs recorded in the log recording agent.
[0113] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the image log transfer process
executed by the log recording agent operating on the digital
multi-function machine 101 or the print server 102 appearing in
FIG. 1, for transferring an image log to the management server.
[0114] Referring to FIG. 8, in a step S801, the log recording agent
is kept on standby until a transfer instruction is issued from the
management server 106. In a step S802, the log recording agent
receives the transfer instruction and transfers job attributes.
Steps S803 to S805 are repeatedly carried out the number of times
corresponding to the number of pages of the job.
[0115] In a step S804, an image log or a text log of the present
page is transferred. In a step S806, the job attributes, the image
logs, and the text logs transferred in the steps S802 to S805 are
deleted.
[0116] In a step S807, it is determined whether or not a transfer
stop instruction has been received from the management server 106.
If the transfer stop instruction has been received, the process
returns to the step S801, whereas if not, the process proceeds to a
step S808. In the step S808, it is determined whether or not any
untransferred image log is present. If there is an image log left
untransferred, the process returns to the step S802, whereas if
not, the process returns to the step S801.
[0117] In the present embodiment, the image processing server 104
carries out, in parallel, a process for receiving an image log from
a log recording agent, a process for performing image processing, a
process for registering the image log in the database, and a
process for transmitting information in response to an information
acquisition instruction from the management server 106. The basic
flows of the respective processes will be described with reference
to FIGS. 9 to 12.
[0118] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the image log receiving process
executed by the image processing server appearing in FIG. 1, for
receiving an image log from a log recording agent.
[0119] Referring to FIG. 9, first in a step S901, the image
processing server 104 is kept on standby until an image log is
transferred from the log recording agent. In a step S902, the image
processing server 104 accepts image log transfer from the log
recording agent and receives job attributes. Steps S903 to S905 are
repeatedly carried out the number of times corresponding to the
number of pages of the job.
[0120] In a step S904, an image log or a text log of an associated
page is received. In a step S906, the count of log pages awaiting
image processing and the reception capability are updated, and then
the process returns to the step S901.
[0121] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the image processing process
executed by the image processing server appearing in FIG. 1.
[0122] Referring to FIG. 10, first in a step S1001, it is checked
whether or not a log awaiting image processing is present. If there
is a log awaiting image processing, the process proceeds to a step
S1003, whereas if not, the process proceeds to a step S81002.
[0123] In the step S1002, the image processing server 104 is kept
on standby over a predetermined time period. Thereafter, the
process returns to the step S1001. In the step S1003, a log to be
processed is selected from the logs recorded in the image
processing server 104 and awaiting image processing. Normally, logs
are selected in order of transfer i.e. arrival, but the selection
may be performed according to the priorities of log recording
agents that have transferred image logs, the recording forms of the
image logs, or the image log sizes.
[0124] In a step S1004, the recording form of the log is checked.
When the log is in the form of text, OCR processing is not
required, and therefore the process proceeds to a step S1009. Steps
S1005 to S1008 are repeatedly carried out the number of times
corresponding to the number of pages of the job.
[0125] In the step S1006, the image log is converted into a
resolution suitable for OCR processing. Pre-OCR processing, such as
binarization and skew correction of an image, may be performed in
this step. In the step S1007, OCR processing is performed so as to
extract text from the image.
[0126] In the step S1009, the image log is converted into a format
suitable for storage in the database 105. Although in the present
embodiment, the pages of the present job are batch-converted into
PDF, they may be converted into a format other than PDF. Further,
resolution conversion may be performed to change the resolution of
an image into a smaller value so as to suppress an increase in the
used capacity of the recording area of the database 105.
[0127] In a step S1010, temporary files generated for OCR
processing and PDF conversion and files unnecessary for
registration in the database are deleted. In the present
embodiment, the files unnecessary for database registration include
the image log before PDF conversion. In a step S1011, the image
processing capability of the image processing server is
updated.
[0128] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the database registration process
executed by the image processing server appearing in FIG. 1.
[0129] Referring to FIG. 11, first, in a step S1101, it is checked
whether or not a log awaiting database registration is present. If
there is a log awaiting database registration, the process proceeds
to a step S1103, whereas if not, the process proceeds to a step
S81102.
[0130] In the step S1102, the image processing server 104 is kept
on standby over a predetermined time period. Thereafter, the
process returns to the step S1101.
[0131] In the step S1103, a log to be processed is selected from
the logs recorded in the image processing server 104 and awaiting
database registration. Normally, logs are selected in order of
generation. Then, The PDF of the selected log is registered in the
database 105. In a step S1104, the job attributes of the selected
log are registered in association with the registered PDF.
[0132] In a step S1105, the text log of the selected log is
registered as text for full text search in association with the
registered PDF. In a step S1106, the selected log is deleted. In a
step S1107, the DB registration capability of the image processing
server is updated.
[0133] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the information notifying process
executed by the image processing server appearing in FIG. 1 for
notifying information to the management server.
[0134] Referring to FIG. 12, first, in a step S1201, the image
processing server 104 is kept on standby until an information
acquisition request is issued from the management server 106. In a
step S1202, the image processing server 104 notifies information on
image logs recorded therein and awaiting image processing to the
management server 106.
[0135] The above-mentioned information includes the number of pages
of the image logs awaiting image processing, the number of pages of
image logs awaiting registration in the database, the per-page file
size of the image logs awaiting image processing, and the per-page
file size of image logs awaiting registration in the database.
[0136] Further, the information includes the number of image log
pages that can be received per hour, the number of image log pages
that can be processed per hour, the number of image log pages that
can be registered in the database per hour, the total capacity of
the image log recording area, and the used capacity of the
same.
[0137] In the above-described embodiment, the image log recording
system is configured to continuously operate without inhibiting job
execution even when jobs temporarily and considerably exceeding a
normal level are executed in some digital multi-function machines
101 or print servers 102. For this reason, log recording agents
operating on the digital multi-function machines 101 or the print
servers 102 are given priority in image log transfer.
[0138] Further, even in a case where more jobs than were expected
when the size of the present image log recording system was
determined are executed and put a heavy load on the system, the
administrator is notified of the state by e-mail before the system
fails.
[0139] Although in the above-described embodiment, the management
server 106 controls transfer processing of all the log recording
agents, each of the log recording agents may control its own
schedule transfer and agent near-full transfer. In this case, the
steps S511 to S513 in FIG. 5 are executed by each log recording
agent.
[0140] In the above-described embodiment, when the recording area
of the image processing server 104 is running short, the management
server 106 instructs a specific log recording agent, in the step
S510 in FIG. 5, to perform log transfer. Instead, the image
processing server 104 may be instructed to permit reception from
the specific log recording agent.
[0141] It is to be understood that the present invention may also
be realized by supplying a system or an apparatus with a storage
medium in which a program code of software, which realizes the
functions of the above described embodiment is stored, and causing
a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus to read out
and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.
[0142] In this case, the program code itself read from the storage
medium realizes the functions of the above described embodiment,
and therefore the program code and the storage medium in which the
program code is stored constitute the present invention.
[0143] Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program
code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a
magnetic-optical disk, an optical disk, such as a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a
CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-RW, or a DVD+RW, a magnetic
tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM. Alternatively, the
program may be downloaded via a network.
[0144] Further, it is to be understood that the functions of the
above described embodiment may be accomplished not only by
executing the program code read out by a computer, but also by
causing an OS (operating system) or the like which operates on the
computer to perform a part or all of the actual operations based on
instructions of the program code.
[0145] Further, it is to be understood that the functions of the
above described embodiment may be accomplished by writing a program
code read out from the storage medium into a memory provided on an
expansion board inserted into a computer or a memory provided in an
expansion unit connected to the computer and then causing a CPU or
the like provided in the expansion board or the expansion unit to
perform a part or all of the actual operations based on
instructions of the program code.
[0146] While the present invention has been described with
reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is to be understood that
the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiment.
The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent
structures and functions.
[0147] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 2006-332406 filed Dec. 8, 2006, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
* * * * *